The Kitchen Cabinet Work Triangle

Statistically, the kitchen is the most visited room in today's home. It is no wonder that kitchen design has become more creative and resourceful than ever. Whether you are remodeling an existing kitchen or building a new one, having a pleasant and efficient kitchen is important for everyday tasks such as frying up omelets, packing lunch and cooking dinner. Planning an efficient kitchen begins with a good work triangle.

What is a Work Triangle?

The work triangle brings together the three most important features in your kitchen:

1. Food storage zone (refrigerator)
2. Cooking zone (cooktop)
3. Clean-up zone (sink)

The work triangle is defined by the NKBA as an imaginary line that goes from the center of the sink, to the center of the cooktop, to the center of the refrigerator, and finally back to the sink. The oven which is not used in every day cooking, can be outside the triangle's limits. Its goal is to keep all the major work stations near the cook, without placing them so close that the kitchen becomes cramped. The work triangle is also designed to reduce traffic within the kitchen so the cook isn't interrupted or interfered with. The work triangle revolutionizes the kitchen by incorporating into it the principles of ergonomics.

The total of the triangle's three sides should not exceed 26' and each side of the triangle should be between 4' and 9'. In addition, the work triangle should not cut through an island or peninsula more than 12". There should be no interruption of cabinetry or major traffic areas.

Accommodating Two Cooks

It is becoming common to have more than one cook in the family. Whether it is a child or spouse, the kitchen layout needs to be able to accommodate them both. The major question is, how can you design an efficient kitchen without forfeiting the working triangle? Most kitchen designers recommend having two separate sinks and cooking areas; one per cook. When designing the kitchen a double working triangle that shares one leg is created thereby creating ample room for them both without interrupting each other's working patterns.

Summary of Tips for a Good Work Triangle:

1. The total sum of the triangle should be between 12' and 26'.
2. Each leg of the triangle should be a minimum of 4' and maximum of 9'.
3. Traffic areas should not go through the triangle
4. If the peninsula or island cut into the triangle, it should not exceed 12"
5. "Two Cook Kitchens" should have two sinks and if possible two cooktops as well.